Recently, a letter was written titled “State funding: There’s no magic pool of money,” by Steve Morse (June 10). It blames Tim Eyman and his initiatives for our lack of funds for our miserable transportation system. This is so obviously wrong, it calls for a response.
In the last 20 years there have been only 10 miles of new roads built in the entire state of Washington and currently there are absolutely no new roads under construction. This goes back to long before Initiative 695 appeared on the scene.
According to recent reports, our state is the second worst state in the country for congested traffic problems. Our transportation system is in shambles because the powers who be, namely Gov. Gary Locke, Senate Transportation Chairperson Mary Margaret Haugen and the rest of her committee, and most of the liberal Democrats in Olympia want to force the people of this state into light rail or the empty buses. They have failed to allocate funds to building new roads for a long time, long before I-695.
The only way you can relieve the congestion on the highways is by building new roads or widening the existing ones. Even the mass transit people have admitted their systems will not relieve congestion.
When I-695 came in, it became apparent that the politicians in Olympia used the outrageously unfair car tab tax for everything but transportation problems, so what makes you think they will change now?
Don’t blame Tim Eyman and his initiatives for what the politicians created. Instead, thank him for saving most of us citizens lots of money and making the politicians become a little more fiscally responsible.
Camano Island
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
